Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 7
पाशुपतव्रतविधिः | The Procedure of the Supreme Pāśupata Vow
यावच्छरीरपातं वा द्वादशाब्दमथापि वा । तदर्धं वा तदर्धं वा मासद्वादशकं तु वा
yāvaccharīrapātaṃ vā dvādaśābdamathāpi vā | tadardhaṃ vā tadardhaṃ vā māsadvādaśakaṃ tu vā
วรตนี้อาจถือได้จนกว่าร่างกายจะดับสิ้น หรือถือสิบสองปี; หรือครึ่งหนึ่งของนั้น หรือครึ่งหนึ่งลงไปอีก; หรืออย่างน้อยที่สุดถือครบสิบสองเดือน
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Significance: Defines vrata-kāla (duration) options, emphasizing sustained sādhana; long observance supports gradual pāśa-kṣaya (attenuation of bonds) and maturation toward grace.
Role: nurturing
FAQs
The verse emphasizes niṣṭhā (steadfast commitment) in Shaiva sādhanā: the ideal is lifelong practice, yet Shiva’s path also accommodates time-bound vows—twelve years, shorter halves, or at least one year—so that devotion and discipline remain accessible while still purifying the paśu (bound soul) from pāśa (bondage).
By prescribing sustained periods for observance, it supports regular Saguna worship—daily pūjā of the Śiva-liṅga, japa, and vrata—so the devotee’s mind becomes steady in Shiva-bhakti and gradually ripens toward deeper realization of Pati (Shiva) beyond limitation.
It implies maintaining a consistent Shaiva vow for a defined duration—commonly including daily liṅga-pūjā, Panchakshara japa ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya"), and vrata discipline—ideally lifelong, but at minimum for a year if one’s capacity is limited.